Robert Schumann

Genoveva op. 81 - Overture

The importance of the genre "overture" for Robert Schumann is shown by the creation chronology of his only opera. The composer notes "overture thoughts" as the first keyword in the household book and then realizes this score in advance before turning to the opera itself. Schumann then also suspects that "the overture alone will enjoy a favorable reception." Around the same time as the premiere of the opera, the overture appears in print. It establishes itself as an independent work in the concert hall and today, together with the Manfred Overture, is one of Schumann's most popular concert overtures. The Breitkopf Urtext edition is the first text-critical edition of the Genoveva Overture. The main source is the first printing, revised by Schumann.